Typewriter casing



. J. F. KOCA TYPEWRITER cAsING Jan. 12, 1943.

Filed Ma'y 1, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l l lllIlllllII-lllll 16H" "jl'eilngeln' Jan. 12, 1943. J. F K'OC 2,308,179

'TYPEWRITER cAs ING Filed May l, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. l2, 1943. 1 F KOCA 2,308,179

TYPEWRIiTER CASING Filed May l, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 12, l1943 corporation of Illinois FICE ' stock Typewriter Company, Woodstock, Ell., a

Application May i, 194e, serial No. 332,790

s claras.` (ci. 1er-isc) This invention relates to typewriters, and particularly to accessories or attachments therefor. More specically, the linvention relates to a cover element removably mounted on the top irarneof a typewriter.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a cover element or platewhich is adapted. to be removably mounted on the frame of a typewriter so as to cover certain parts of the operating mechanism, includingutheribbon Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a part oi the top frame of a typewriter showing locking means co-operating with the cover plate.

The particular casing or cover plate herein disclosed -to illustrate the invention is shown applied to the popular, well known Woodstock typespools, in order to prevent excess dirt and other matter from falling into the operating parts, to reduce the ash of the keys during their operation, and at the same time permit ready-and easy access to the keys, ribbon spools, and other parts of the typewriter.

Another important object ofthe present invention is the provision of a cover plate detachably connected to the top of a typewriter frame, there being new and improved means for locking the cover plate in positionA by merely sliding the cover plate in proper guides provided therefor, there being release means having co-operation with locking means so that the cover plate may be unlocked and released by depressing operative means practically hidden from view butpositioned for ready access. Y

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a removable cover plate formed in one piece and preferably die cast, and vprovided with integral spaced guides to permit sliding attachment and detachment to a partvoi the typewriter frame, the cover plate being provided also with sound deadening material to assist in reducing noises during operation, the plate also being of a particular shape and contour to permit freedom of operation of the parts and still reduce the size of the opening to a minimum.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specication.

The accompanying drawings illustrate 4ajselected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows: Y

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a type- Writer, and embodyingthe invention;

Figure 2 is a ltop plan view; f Figure 3 is la detail sectional View on the line 3-3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the improved top cover plate;

Figure 6 is a detail bottom plan view of the cover plate; and

' and the paper.

writer although the invention is susceptibleof application to other makes of typewriters. The frame l of the typewriter comprises a top plate or frame member 2 which may be fastened tothe frame l by suitable fastening means, or it may be made an integral part thereof. The top plate 2 of the frame is preferably formed with a rigid integral curved front 3, Figures 3 and 4, upon which the type bars are supported in normal inoperative position. The top plate 2 has mounted thereon upstanding supporting members or pins l! upon which the usual ribbon spools 5 are mounted for operation, Figure A casing or cover plate Ei, Figures 5 and 6, is adapted to be mounted on the frame top 2 to cover some of the typewriter mechanism including the ribbon spools 5, as well as'to coverfpa'rtially the type bars. The cover plate Sis provided with an opening i positioned relatively centrally thereof, Ythe opening `being clened. by a front straight edge S communicating with relatively semi-circular end edges 9 Which merge into the curved sidesV Iii.- A peripheral ange or downwardly extending projection ll is integrally formed on the cover plate 6 and extends downwardly a predetermined distance below the top of the frame part 2, not only to render the cover plate E5 neat and ornamental in appearance, but to permit proper intertting relationship with the top frame 2, as well as to cover some of the parts and projections on the machine. The rearward edge of the cover plate t is somewhat depressed, as indicated at It, to permit proper operation and give the operator an unobstructed view of the calibrations, ribbon, and the paper which is being written upon, The edges of Vthe cover 6 along the curved side edges l0 of the opening i are relatively flush With the normal top surface ofthe cover plate, and extend downwardly laterally from said opening as indicated at I3.' Consider-ableparts ci the keys are hidden from view by the cover plate but the opening l is of a size sufficient for proper operation of.

the type bars and to give the operator arfull necessary view of certain parts oi the machine vided with upward extensions i, which provide The operator therefore has an spaces I5 on its bottom for the reception of the ribbon spools 5 when the plate 6 is applied in pfsition. These projections Ilt are relatively U-shaped and are slightly wider than the diameter of the ribbon spools 5 so as to fit freely thereover and permit unobstructed operation thereof. Guides I8, Figure '7, in the form of Z-bars are fastened to the upper surface; of the top frame 2 on opposite sides thereof, and include bottom plate members I'I adapted for physical contact with the upper surface of the frame part 2. These guides are bent upwardly to provide straight legs I8 from which the lateral legs I9 project. The legs I9 extend outwardly, and are adapted to be received in grooves or guideways 20 provided inintegral lugs 2i formed on the CPI inside of opposite side walls 22 of the cover plate 6. The cover plate 5 therefore is adapted to be slid into position with the outwardly vextending legs I9 received in the grooves 2! of the lugs 2l, Figures 4 and 6.

The cover plate 6 is locked in normal position by locking means 23, Figure '7, which is operatively xed to opposite sides of frame portion 2 and co-operates with the guides 29. The locking means 23, Figure 7, comprises two identical structures so only one need be described. The locking means 23 comprises two hook-shaped members 24 each pivotally mounted at 25 on studs 26. A spring 2l encircles each pivot point 26, the ends of the spring being positioned to urge the hookshaped members outwardly. One leg 28, Figure 3, of each spring 2l is adapted to engage a vertical leg I8 on a guide I6 and the other leg thereof is adapted to engage a downwardly extending pin 29 on each hook-shaped member 24, Figure 7. The pins 29 also act as stops to limit the outward movement or" the hook-shaped members. The pins 29 are positioned to contact the upstanding legs I8 of the guide members and thereby limit the outward movement of the hook-shaped members24.

The inward movement of the hook-shaped locking members is limited or restricted by engagement with the upstanding pins or pivot supports 4 upon which the typewriter ribbon spools 5 are operatively mounted. The hook-shaped locking members 24 are also provided with extensions 39, Figure 7, terminating in upstanding flanges or fingers 3l which are adapted to engage the front edges 32, Figure 6, of the integral rear lugs 2I so that when the cover plate is slid into position, the upstanding projections will engage theY lugs and prevent the cover plate from being moved forwardly. The rearward movement of the cover plate on the typewriter frame is limited by the inner front edge of the peripheral flange engaging the outer edge of the top plate 2. Asthe 'cover plate 6 is slid into position the inwardly extending bosses or lugs will swing the hook-shaped members 24 inwardly because of the engagement of the bosses or lugs with the projections on the hook-shaped members. As soon as the cover plate has been slid to home position with the faces 32 of the lugs or bosses 2| beyond the upstanding locking ends 3i of the hook members 24, the springs 21 will move the .hook-shaped members 26 outwardly and cause the locking projections to be engaged behind Ythe ends ofthe lugs and thereby hold the cover plate in locked position on the typewriter frame.

TheV extreme ends 33 of the hook-shaped memthrough suitable openings 35, Fig. 5, in opposite sides of the cover plate at the back thereof, to

provide means for unlockingthe cover plate from` the locking elements. Therefore, when the cover plate 5 is to be removed, the extreme outer ends 33 of the hook-shaped members 24 are pressed inwardly, swinging the locking members on their pivots 26 and bringing the upstanding locking ends 3| out of engagement with the faces 32 of the integral lugs or bosses 2 I The locking members 24 may therefore be unlocked or disengaged from locked position allowing the cover plate 6 to be slid toward the operator and removed from the typewriter frame.

'I'he invention provides a neat and attractive removably mounted cover plate for covering certain mechanism and operating parts of the machine, and presents a smooth and streamlined appearance. The cover plate moreover includes the utilitarian purpose or function of tending to reduce sounds, as well as removing a certain amount of eye strain because practically all of the flashing of the keys during operation is eliminated. Moreover, the sides of the peripheral flange II may be provided with a resilient noise resisting covering, such as felt or the like, to

prevent noises caused during operation of the machine. Also, sound deadening material 34, Figure 6, may be applied under the wing portions I2, I3 of the removable cover plate 6 so as to muffle the sounds caused by the operation of the keys and thereby reduce these noisesto a considerable extent. The cover plate is adapted to be made in one piece, and while preferably die cast from suitable metal, it may be stamped from sheet material if desired.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacricing any of the advantages thereof, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A typewriter cover mounted above the upper surface of a typewriter frame comprising a platelike member having side guideways and openings in opposite sides of said member at the back thereof, guides on the frame slidingly received in the guideways, means for locking the coverto the frame, and means projecting beyond the cover through said openings to release the locking means.

2. In a typewriter having a cover plate slidably mounted on the top frame thereof, means for releasably locking the cover plate to the frame comprising latch keepers -on opposite sides of said plate, and a pair of spring urged latch members pivotally mounted on said top frame at opposite sides thereof and on vertical axes .and a d apted for locking engagement with said latch keepers of the plate.

3. In a typewriter having a cover plate slidably mounted on the top frame thereof, means for releasably locking the cover plate to the frame comprising a guide member on the frame, a guideway on the plate cooperative :with said guide member to prevent upward movement of the plate relatively to the frame, a'latch keeper on said plate, and a latch dog pivotally mounted on the frame on a vertical pivot and horizontally movable to engage with and release from said keeper. A v- 4. In a typewriter having a cover plate slidably mounted on the top frame thereof, means for releasably locking the cover plate to the frame comprising a guideway on the plate, a guide member on the frame engageable with said guideway, and a locking element pivoted on said guide member for engagement with a part on the plate to lock the plate to the frame, said element being manually operable to release the locking element from said part.

5. A cover plate slidably mounted above the top surface of a typewriter frame to cover certain typewriter parts including the ribbon spools and means to lock the plate to the frame comprising a lug formed on an inner side of the plate to form a guideway, a guide mounted on the frame and engageable with the guideway, a member pivoted to the guide and engageable with the lug to lock the plate to the frame, a spring to urge the member toward locking position, and an extension on the member to manually shift the member out of engagement with the lug to unlock the member from the lug whereby the plate may be slid on the guide and removed from the frame.

6. A cover plate slidably mounted above the top surface of a typewriter frame to cover certain typewriter parts including the ribbon spools and means to lock the plate to the frame comprising a lug formed on an inner side of the plate to form a guideway, a Z-bar fastened to the top of the frame and receivable in the guideway, a locking member pivoted to a part of the Z-bar and adapted to engage behind the lug to lock the plate on the frame, a spring to urge the locking member toward locking position, an extension on the locking member and projecting beyond an edge of the plate to move the locking member away from locking position, and means to limit the movement of the locking member.

7. A cover plate member adapted to be removably disposed over a portion of the top surface of a typewriter frame member to cover certain typewriter parts including the ribbon spools and means for releasably latching the cover plate and frame members together, comprising guide means on one of said members providing a channelshaped guide extending generally in a direction running between the front and back of the typewriter, guide means on the other of said members adapted to engage in and slide longitudinally of said channel-shaped guide, and releasable latch means carried by one of said members and co-operative with the guide means on the other member for latching said. members together when the cover member is in covering position on the frame member.

8. A cover plate member removably disposed over a portion of the top surface of a typewriter frame member to cover certain typewriter parts including the ribbon spools and means for releasably attaching the cover plate and frame members together, comprising a pair of vertically spaced lugs on one o-f said members providing a guide channel extending generally in a direction running between the front and back of the typewriter, guide means on the other of said members adapted to engage in and slide longitudinally of said guide channel, and yieldable means carried by one of said members and normally urged into engagement with one of said JAMES F. KOCA. 

